Keith Scott is one of Chicago's most vibrant musicians. For the past 20 plus years he's built his reputation as a sizzling blues guitarist, dynamic performer, noteworthy songwriter and bandleader. Keith has toured the U.S. and Europe both with his band and blues great Jimmy Dawkins.

Singer, guitarist and songwriter Keith Scott has been a part of the Chicago blues scene since 1981.In addition to working with Johnny Littlejohn, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Taylor and Hip Linkchain, Scott traveled the world as part of a distinguished lineup of the Jimmy Dawkins Blues Band in the 1980s and 90s. Keith Scott relesed a new acoustic blues album with the title Flat Creek Blues (2014).

Are there any memories from B.B. Odom, Muddy Waters and Little Milton which you’d like to share with us?

Yes BB Odom one time asked me to bring him $10, I got in my car on the north side of Chicago and drive as fast as I could to the checkerboard lounge on Chicago's south side with the money, buddy guy recently asked me if bb owed me any money and I Said yea $10.

I rehearsed in the basement of a fashion store on stony island with Little Milton I must have done pretty good because he asked me to join the band, but I told him I was with BB didn't know how famous Milton was big mistake on my part I pass that store e all the time and get upset.

Only met Muddy once and was the reason I left college and moved to Chicago still good friends with his drummer Ray Allison.

Do you have any amusing tales to tell of your work with Jimmy Dawkins?

Yeah... he made me carry a huge toolbox.

What do you miss most nowadays from the late Jimmy "Fast Fingers" Dawkins?

Jimmy Dawkins, lifelong friend guitar mentor, and father figure, took me on my first gig, to tobacco road in Miami Oct. 24th 1986, I filled in for Billy Flynn and Rich Kirch, that's when I carried that big toolbox up a huge staircase, my initiation to the Jimmy Dawkins blues band, from there 5 years of great travel and learning about music and life, Jimmy always had the best bass players and drummers including Tyrone Century, Jim Schutte and Sylvester Boines, even my mom (Ginny Scott) played a gig in bass with us in Milwaukee with Hubert Sumlin, Sylvester and I always had a thing for Chinese buffets, man he could eat ! One of the best shows was at Tramps in New York; the New Yorkers had the most admiration for him. One time Maurice john Vaughn joined us at Manny’s car wash, Jimmy always let me open the show even though I was still trying to sing, he liked a rock approach to the blues, used a huge Marshall which caused hearing damage to my left ear, it still rings to this day. I think Robert Plant was blown away when he saw us a couple times at blues in Chicago. He just stood there the whole night and went and hung out with Jimmy afterwoods. Jimmy also helped a lot of artists with their careers including Hip Linkchain, Eddy C. Cambell and Luther Allison. One time we stopped to meet Buddy Guy at the checkerboard, I didn't even know they were friends, both born in 36. I guess I would like to thank him for his friendship and support throughout my music life in Chicago. From when I first met him at the delta fish market in 1982 in Chicago to our great conversation last week from my home in Michigan, we were planning to have a get together this month and he sounded great and was happy hanging out with Darrin his grandson who he loved more than anything, my prayers are with his family.

Photo: Keith & Jimmy Dawkins

Which memory from Jimmy Dawkins makes you smile?

Everything, his pipe smoking, blues stories about the Wolf

What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had? What’s the best jam you ever played in?Chicago blues fest with Jimmy Dawkins jammed with Al Di Meola, he can play some blues as well and a cool cat

What are some of the most memorable stories you've had with John LittleJohn?Met him at Delta fishmarket he told me about Japan

Any comments about your experiences with Hubert Sumlin and Eddie Taylor?Had to drive Hubert to a gig picked him up at 67th street in Chicago, Eddy Taylor bought me a coffee once.

Which was the best moment of your career and which was the worst?

Robert Plant coming to gig in Chicago, getting stuck in ditch in North Dakota.

"The blues of the past are the best it will never be duplicated, it's an honest simplicity that only a few know about these days and I'm not sounding old saying it I think."

What kind of guy was Hip Linkchain?

Hip was funny chained his truck with a chain to a big tree

How do you get inspiration for your songs & who were your mentors in lyrics?Jimmy Dawkins, Bob Dylan, everywhere, TV, conversations, on the street

Any of blues standards have any real personal feelings for you & what are some of your favorite?“Everything Gonna Be Alright” by Little Walter and “Going Down” by Don Nix

What does the BLUES mean to you & what does Blues offered you?

Feeling, Life, Experience !!!

What do you learn about yourself from music? What experiences in your life make you a GOOD musician?How you treat people that listen, how to conduct yourself in public

Do you remember anything funny or interesting from the recording hours? Yeah recorded with Shirley King at lots of great food and talked about her dad!

With such an illustrious career, what has given you the most satisfaction musically?Being able to jam with anyone, any style...

"Blues is feeling, life, and experience!"

Are there any memories from local bars, which you’d like to share with us? Jammed with a guy named Nolan Struck, he fell off the stage

Which of historical blues personalities would you like to meet? Met most of them wish I met the Wolf and Freddie King

Who are your favorite blues artists, both old and new? What was the last record you bought?Mississippi John Hurt and Johnny Winter

Some music styles can be fads but the blues is always with us. Why do think that is?It's feeling relates to life

How do you see the future of blues music? Give one wish for the BLUES Just keep on supporting it is all

Where did you pick up your guitar style? In which songs can someone hear the best of your guitar work?“Down with Troubles”

What would you had given & what would you ask Jimi Hendrix & Johnny Winter?

Hey Jimi how come you are so crazy good on guitar, ... Johnny where’s your brother Edgar?

"It is easier to write more seasoned outlook on life but same problems as always money, relationships, and politics."

Are there any memories of all GREAT BLUESMEN you meet which you’d like to share with us?

Always gentlemen and wanting to share the music, all of them !

Which of the people you have worked with do you consider the best friend?Jimmy Dawkins

Is there any similarity between the blues today and the “OLD DAYS” of blues in Chicago?Music was stronger in the old days more feeling.

From whom have you have learned the most secrets about blues music?

Jimmy Dawkins

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of past?

The blues of the past are the best it will never be duplicated, it's an honest simplicity that only a few know about these days and I'm not sounding old saying it I think.

Which is the most interesting period in Chicago blues scene and why? Early to mid 60s all the sound came together, Magic Sam, Otis Rush..

Photo: Keith & Koko Taylor

What do you think of MODERN CHICAGO BLUES & how close are to the CHICAGO BLUES of Muddy & Wolf?

Not that close anymore, much more slide in the past and great harmonica.

How do you describe your sound and what characterize your music philosophy?

Stompin blues !!

Is it easier to write and play the blues as you get older?

It is easier to write more seasoned outlook on life but same problems as always money, relationships, and politics.

The playing is easier cut out more mistakes you can never be so great except if you’re Howlin Wolf and Albert King and Hubert Sumlin.

What is your opinion about blues.gr? Do you have a message for the Greek fans?